We are Elrha, a force for change in the humanitarian community. The research and innovation we support equips the humanitarian community with the knowledge of what works, so people affected by crises get the right help when they need it most.

Our purpose is clear: to empower the humanitarian community to improve humanitarian response. We make this happen by supporting and championing the outcomes of robust research and proven innovations.

We empower the humanitarian community. Find out how we can support you...

Sexual and gender-based violence is notoriously difficult to investigate and prosecute, particularly in humanitarian emergencies where medical facilities and trained staff are lacking. Our solution is to explore innovative self-examination DNA kits to improve access to justice for victims.

Sexual and gender-based violence is notoriously difficult to investigate and prosecute, particularly in humanitarian emergencies where medical facilities and trained staff are lacking. Our solution is to explore innovative self-examination DNA kits to improve access to justice for victims.

WHAT IS THE HUMANITARIAN NEED?

Investigation and prosecution of sexual and gender based violence in low-resource environments.

WHAT IS THE INNOVATIVE SOLUTION?

Our innovation is a self-examination forensic DNA kit, which could transform humanitarian and legal responses to SGBV by:

applying a forensic approach that is good practice elsewhere, but novel to the humanitarian context

allowing access to DNA evidence to corroborate witness statements and support prosecutions

being sensitive to cultural norms and safety concerns that deter women from seeking invasive medical examinations

These features increase the impact of our innovation by improving the well being and security of people in humanitarian crises.

WHAT ARE THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES?

The outcomes of this project will provide stakeholder and end-user views on the design and feasibility of our innovation. In particular, gathering the views of NGO and medical clinics as well as criminal justice agencies to inform the feasibility, design and legal requirements of our self-examination DNA kit, is essential to ensure the implementation and impact of the innovation.
This project will also enable us to explore how forensic DNA evidence can be used more effectively to support investigations and prosecutions of SGBV in humanitarian contexts, and how this enhances access to justice and empowers survivors.

Latest Updates

The value of stakeholder engagement and partnership in forensic innovation

26 May 2019

In this blog we summarise our Humanitarian Innovation Fund project aims, outcomes, and next steps.

Get in touch

Follow us

You are seeing this because you are using a browser that is not supported. The Elrha website is built using modern technology and standards. We recommend upgrading your browser with one of the following to properly view our website:

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of browsers. We also do not intend to recommend a particular manufacturer's browser over another's; only to suggest upgrading to a browser version that is compliant with current standards to give you the best and most secure browsing experience.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.AcceptRejectCookie Policy